A man charged with the murder of a security guard found dead at a West Auckland construction site has appeared in court.
Charanpreet Dhaliwal died of head injuries after being assaulted on 18 November last year. It was the 22-year-old Indian migrant's first day on the job.
Hateni Kaufusi Latu, a 27-year-old baker from Glendene, appeared briefly in the Waitakere District Court on Tuesday afternoon.
The 27-year-old was arrested on Monday. He also faces a charge of assaulting another person on 18 November.
Mr Latu's lawyer asked for name suppression, saying he feared for his and his family's safety, but was turned down.
Mr Latu was remanded in custody to reappear in court on Thursday.
The Supreme Sikh Council learnt of the arrest on Tuesday morning and says it is a relief.
President Daljit Singh says he called Mr Dhaliwal's mother in India immediately and she will travel to New Zealand this weekend.
